Pope is Time's 'Person of the Year'

Pope Francis has been announced as Time’s “Person of the Year,” beating out runner-up Edward Snowden for this year’s award.

“For pulling the papacy out of the palace and into the streets, for committing the world’s largest church to confronting its deepest needs, and for balancing judgment with mercy, Pope Francis is Time’s 2013 Person of the Year,’” wrote Time Managing Editor Nancy Gibbs on Francis’s selection.

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Pope Francis assumed the papacy in March after his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict, resigned. In the months since becoming the Roman Catholic Church’s top leader, Francis has been widely credited with reshaping public perception of the Church after years of scandal, building a reputation as a humble reformer.

“The Holy Father is not looking to become famous or to receive honors. But if the choice of “Person of the Year” helps spread the message of the Gospel … he will certainly be happy about that,” said Father Federico Lombardi, director of the pope’s press office, in a written statement.